Unfortunately, Arthur Whetsel- who's talking to Duke at the beginning of the film- died of a brain tumor in May 1940, at the tender age of 35. His death was a big loss to Ellington, because he was one of the original members of his first band, "The Washingtonians", in 1923.
@@tranzco1173 What are you talking about??? this is such an important piece of film for early jazz, black history, and cinematic innovation. you sound very closed minded
She played the role of Ondine in, "The Emperor Jones" and Peola in, "Imitation of Life" (1934). She was also in a horor movie entitled, " Love Ouanga" (1935) about voodoo in Haiti in which she played a plantation owner.
Freddie Washington is reportedly had a 20-year affair with Duke Ellington until he convinced Lawrence Brown to marry her... Which sounds stupid... And in a biography on Paul Robeson by Paul Robinson junior, he states that Fredi Washington and his father had a 20-year affair... She must have been busy😂
@@hahalol1452 I also saw the Rolling Stones this year. Ironically the Stones are about the same age as Duke Ellington when I saw him. The great ones are always great.
I wasn't expecting the gravity, most early musicals had a happier arc. She gets cured, he strikes it rich + they get the piano repossesors off their backs for good. Now I got those St. James Infirmary blues...
The first music video? 95 years old. Great sound quality on the music, and as for the visuals...we thought 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was doing something new and exciting in 1975 but these folks were there long, long before. Hats off to all concerned.
I don't believe Duke "sold out" as much as he "moved on". In his later years, there were other musical venues he wanted to explore- and he was just as accomplished in them as he was in "jazz" and "dance music".
Fredi Washington should have had a real movie career. In any case, this is a wonderful document and testament to the splendor of the pre-Code era. You're looking at 95 years ago, and it's still clearly modern.
Oh my gosh what a classic this video is! The way these actors spoke the way they gesture, their sense of humor...Whoever posted this, thank you! It's history, it's music, it's culture, it's a peek into the past when jazz was born. We cannot forget the people who put heart and soul into creating this authentic American music.
@@ILoveFountainPensCdn stop it . They were portrayed as anyone of any " color " or " class " would have been in the 20s . I don't believe you're a bigot - don't come off sounding like one because it's the 21st century .
Your father initially played with the Duke from 1949 through '51, again in 1956, and on a European tour in 1969. As previously stated, anyone who stayed with Ellington long enough became a leader in their own right. Your father was among them. 🙂
Filmed in February 1929. Duke Ellington, piano/arranger Arthur Whetsel, Freddy Jenkins, George "Cootie" Williams. trumpets Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, trombone Johnny Hodges, clarinet/sopriano sax/alto sax Harry Carney, clarinet/alto sax/baritone sax Barney Bigard, clarinet/tenor sax Fred Guy, banjo Wellman Braud, bass William "Sonny" Greer, drums
Amazing! Crystal clear film of Ellington and company at a pretty interesting time, as jazz was morphing from New Orleans style towards what would be called swing. The music here is already pushing those boundaries. I was expecting a more archaic sound, but no, this is futuristic stuff for 1929. Just insanely great music and musicians!
I. was thinking the same thing, that it would be more "twenties" style music. But you're right, this is really progressive, I even hear some precursors of Big Band era swing in here. And agree about the musicans-- also the dancers, and the camera work makes me wonder if Busby Berkley stole from whoever did this. I'm going to look up the personnel on this film.
Dixieland style Jazz during this time period invented and owned by black America - Duke, Louis, Cab, Basie and more - tremendous musical contribution born out of poverty and repression morphing into the blues with other great black musicians - Black America deserves more credit for their incredible musical contribution 👍👏
True, but also some white people embraced it, contributed to it, and it became very popular, Don't forget the genius Bix Beiderbecke, and Jean Goldkette, and Hoagy Carmichael and Rudy Vallee, and Kurt Weill and Guy Lombardo, and Ted Weems, and Jack Teagarden, ...
My great grandfather Dudley Murphy wrote and directed this…I never got the chance to meet him so it’s so amazing that at least I get to experience the amazing art he created.
She could have passed but staunchly refused to. She played in the original Imitation of Life with Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers as her mother. Sister Isabel married Adam Clayton Powell Jr. before he was stolen by Hazel Scott. Juicy stuff.
The gentleman doing the close-line dance together is sharp. And I always wondered what Freddie Washington sounded like. Her sister married Congressman Adam C. Powell.
The best jazz was meant to dance to. Then along came bebop and fusion with signs on the dance floor telling you not to dance. 😢 I'm a baby boomer who loves the music from many decades before I was born. 😊❤
@zarquondam Yes, it was and it definitely had a huge following which continues today. I saw Dizzy Gillespie in concert during my college days. My favorite different time beat song is still "Take Five". As a swing jazz, pop, and classic lught rock drummer, I still prefer music I can dance and tap my feet to.
A bit melodramatic but seeing Duke Ellington from 95 years ago seems like a miracle. Fredi Washington's dancing is a revelation. It may not be an apt comparison but I think she could give Josephine Baker a run for her money.
Wow! Beautiful arrangements by Ellington, and beautiful performances by Ellington and orchestra, and all the dancers, male and female. And as if that wasn't enough - beautiful cinematography by Dudley Murphy. Wonderful portrayal of _the piano movers_ by the actors. Wow.
Wow wow wow wow! ❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊 keep it coming! Luv this stuff my dad the biggest influence on this music since I was just a kid. Me? Growing up in 70s early 80s era. I'm an old soul that loves the jazz big band swing eras, film n musicals. ❤❤❤😊😊😊
Thanks for this upload. I'm especially excited to see another example of Fredi Washington's work. I've only ever known her from the first film version of "Imitation of Life."
It's out there, just gotta look. Besides as long as there is video and audio of these oldies why do we need new stuff. Honestly hard to have a ten-12 piece band willing to play together and be as tight as they were back then, Only works now if they are a house band for some profitable club. Even local touring becomes expensive with so many members.
@@Spiritualchick82 i did photosilkscreen posters of that era for my senior project in college. You would've loved it! I did lots of research for it. You should check out a book called, "The Black Book" by Donald Bogle. He writes books on the early Black entertainment. He also wrote a book on Dorothy Dandridge
These people are very disciplined and well dressed, logically things should get better as time goes on, but why we are getting the contrary of every beautiful thing that used to be the normal way of life in the past.?
It's all very banal. The US and A rose to power, got wealthy and fat, then got lazy. That's the macro view, but it's also not very complicated at a more micro view. You have technology, which is shredding the human soul to pieces. There's not even a need to get political about it all. It annoys me how people act somehow surprised by whatever is going on.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
I wish all the talented people in this film could see themselves in HD and know that so many of us are still watching and praising. TY-great post!
OK SIlent Generationer.
@@tranzco1173 You sound like a millennial who still retweets grumpy cat memes
Unfortunately, Arthur Whetsel- who's talking to Duke at the beginning of the film- died of a brain tumor in May 1940, at the tender age of 35. His death was a big loss to Ellington, because he was one of the original members of his first band, "The Washingtonians", in 1923.
@@tranzco1173 What are you talking about??? this is such an important piece of film for early jazz, black history, and cinematic innovation. you sound very closed minded
The original film was probably sharper.
Fredi Washington was gorgeous💗
She played the role of Ondine in, "The Emperor Jones" and Peola in, "Imitation of Life" (1934). She was also in a horor movie entitled, " Love Ouanga" (1935) about voodoo in Haiti in which she played a plantation owner.
Si que era bonita ❤
Freddie Washington is reportedly had a 20-year affair with Duke Ellington until he convinced Lawrence Brown to marry her... Which sounds stupid... And in a biography on Paul Robeson by Paul Robinson junior, he states that Fredi Washington and his father had a 20-year affair... She must have been busy😂
Beautifully shot. Thanks to the folks who saved and kept this piece alive.
Fr❤
Thanks foŕ rescúing all these old films of jazz. I love that music.
Tremendous historical record
I saw Duke Ellington in 1969 in Fayetteville Arkansas. My first concert. What a legend!
OMG . . .
that must have been marvelous, especially since it was your first!
@@hahalol1452 I also saw the Rolling Stones this year. Ironically the Stones are about the same age as Duke Ellington when I saw him. The great ones are always great.
THANX FOR THE ARCHIVING WE CAN NOT LOOSE THESE TREASURES
25 years before I was born, but did see Dukes band in 60's, probably before ever saw a rock show.
Preserving this film and music is amazing. I was so impressed with the greatness of Duke Ellington and his band.
Amazing.... stunning! An absolute work of art of rare gravity and beauty...
I wasn't expecting the gravity, most early musicals had
a happier arc. She gets cured, he strikes it rich + they
get the piano repossesors off their backs for good.
Now I got those St. James Infirmary blues...
The first music video? 95 years old. Great sound quality on the music, and as for the visuals...we thought 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was doing something new and exciting in 1975 but these folks were there long, long before. Hats off to all concerned.
I only like their earlier stuff, late teens before they sold out.
I don't believe Duke "sold out" as much as he "moved on". In his later years, there were other musical venues he wanted to explore- and he was just as accomplished in them as he was in "jazz" and "dance music".
Fredi Washington should have had a real movie career. In any case, this is a wonderful document and testament to the splendor of the pre-Code era. You're looking at 95 years ago, and it's still clearly modern.
The pre-code era ended in 1933.
@@paulluchter137 No, it didn't. It ended July 1, 1934. For more about it, read one of my books.
Oh my gosh what a classic this video is! The way these actors spoke the way they gesture, their sense of humor...Whoever posted this, thank you! It's history, it's music, it's culture, it's a peek into the past when jazz was born. We cannot forget the people who put heart and soul into creating this authentic American music.
Such incredible artistry. And historically fascinating.
I just admire anyone who learns to express themselves thru an instrument. No matter what genre that takes work and dedication.
tu l'as dit.
Incredible music and film. Thanks
…other than portraying the movers as uneducated, I completely agree!
You’re welcome 😇
@@ILoveFountainPensCdn stop it . They were portrayed as anyone of any
" color " or " class " would have been in the 20s .
I don't believe you're a bigot - don't come off sounding like one because it's the 21st century .
@@ILoveFountainPensCdnDo you seriously believe that *movers* are ordinarily educated people?!
The Cinematography is beyond its time, that deathbed scene with the shadows on the wall is as haunting as the shadows of death...
Greatly impressed by this film and all of the people in it. I am very glad that it has been preserved, survived and shared, THANKS!.
Thank you for posting. I love this short subject.
among the great muisc and dance, this is all beautifully shot and acted
Great to see,my dad played the trumpet in his orchestra, Nelson Williams, Duke gave him the nickname Cadillac 😅😅😅😅
Your father initially played with the Duke from 1949 through '51, again in 1956, and on a European tour in 1969. As previously stated, anyone who stayed with Ellington long enough became a leader in their own right. Your father was among them. 🙂
@@fromthesidelines Thank you very much
You're very welcome!
props
❤
unforgettable man and musician.
Filmed in February 1929.
Duke Ellington, piano/arranger
Arthur Whetsel, Freddy Jenkins, George "Cootie" Williams. trumpets
Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, trombone
Johnny Hodges, clarinet/sopriano sax/alto sax
Harry Carney, clarinet/alto sax/baritone sax
Barney Bigard, clarinet/tenor sax
Fred Guy, banjo
Wellman Braud, bass
William "Sonny" Greer, drums
You're a legend! Thanks!
You're welcome!
Five of the line-up I know and they all became famous in their own right.
If you were in the Duke's band long enough, you eventually became a leader in your own right.
Duke was a True Master and Fredi, wow what a Hottie!
What a jewel! Greatness in song, dance and film! Thank you.
Amazing! Crystal clear film of Ellington and company at a pretty interesting time, as jazz was morphing from New Orleans style towards what would be called swing. The music here is already pushing those boundaries. I was expecting a more archaic sound, but no, this is futuristic stuff for 1929. Just insanely great music and musicians!
I. was thinking the same thing, that it would be more "twenties" style music. But you're right, this is really progressive, I even hear some precursors of Big Band era swing in here. And agree about the musicans-- also the dancers, and the camera work makes me wonder if Busby Berkley stole from whoever did this. I'm going to look up the personnel on this film.
The Duke was about ten years ahead of everyone playing "dance music" and "jazz".
Dixieland style Jazz during this time period invented and owned by black America - Duke, Louis, Cab, Basie and more - tremendous musical contribution born out of poverty and repression morphing into the blues with other great black musicians - Black America deserves more credit for their incredible musical contribution 👍👏
True, but also some white people embraced it, contributed to it, and it became very popular, Don't forget the genius Bix Beiderbecke, and Jean Goldkette, and Hoagy Carmichael and Rudy Vallee, and Kurt Weill and Guy Lombardo, and Ted Weems, and Jack Teagarden, ...
In 5 years from this moment it will be 100 years!
My great grandfather Dudley Murphy wrote and directed this…I never got the chance to meet him so it’s so amazing that at least I get to experience the amazing art he created.
Really beautiful music just love these old films awesome
Can't beat that early Ellington sound.
What a time machine.
Thank you for sharing this national treasure. Amazing!
The lady dancer is a total dish. And it's great to see The Duke.
She could have passed but staunchly refused to. She played in the original Imitation of Life with Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers as her mother. Sister Isabel married Adam Clayton Powell Jr. before he was stolen by Hazel Scott. Juicy stuff.
Wow. A great glimpse into the talent of nearly a hundred years ago.
Loved this! Thank-you!
So powerful. In all its details and entirety
Totally awesome - 95 years ago.
Great to see this looking so pristine. What a band!
So dramatic and atmospheric. You'd be hard pressed to find a music video of this quality and length these days
The technical quality of the recording is impressive for 1929
The gentleman doing the close-line dance together is sharp. And I always wondered what Freddie Washington sounded like. Her sister married Congressman Adam C. Powell.
Amazing look into a America almost a hundred years ago.
Some things have changed (technology) and other still there (racism and minorities stereotyping)...
1929 was an important year for talking motion pictures
The best jazz was meant to dance to. Then along came bebop and fusion with signs on the dance floor telling you not to dance. 😢
I'm a baby boomer who loves the music from many decades before I was born. 😊❤
Bebop was great though.
@zarquondam Yes, it was and it definitely had a huge following which continues today. I saw Dizzy Gillespie in concert during my college days.
My favorite different time beat song is still "Take Five".
As a swing jazz, pop, and classic lught rock drummer, I still prefer music I can dance and tap my feet to.
3:29 “remove your anatomy from that mahogany”😂
Love this music.
Absolutely not strange that componist Igor Strawinsky during his first visit to the U.S.A. in1928 wanted to see Ellington in the"Cotton Club".
1929 Duke interesting Jazz. Thanks.
😊 good music
Arthur Whetsel, what a fantastic genius... Thank you for posting!
This is fantastic! Thank you for uploading 🙏🏽
Duke was a handsome guy.
A bit melodramatic but seeing Duke Ellington from 95 years ago seems like a miracle. Fredi Washington's dancing is a revelation. It may not be an apt comparison but I think she could give Josephine Baker a run for her money.
Yes, I thought of Josephine Baker too. Dance (and dance training) has moved on, but they were trail-blazers . . .
@@johnsilva9139 she just needs some bananas!😂
Wow! Beautiful arrangements by Ellington, and beautiful performances by Ellington and orchestra, and all the dancers, male and female. And as if that wasn't enough - beautiful cinematography by Dudley Murphy. Wonderful portrayal of _the piano movers_ by the actors. Wow.
Wow wow wow wow! ❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊 keep it coming! Luv this stuff my dad the biggest influence on this music since I was just a kid. Me? Growing up in 70s early 80s era. I'm an old soul that loves the jazz big band swing eras, film n musicals. ❤❤❤😊😊😊
This was a fine film of its type.
What a treasure.
Thank you. A beautiful film. The story told - the emotions expressed were so exquisitely done.
Thanks for this upload. I'm especially excited to see another example of Fredi Washington's work. I've only ever known her from the first film version of "Imitation of Life."
That sax solo was great! THIS is music! Nuff said.
Some superb cinematographic effects....
I have this on 78.
First time I've seen dancing on carpet in a movie. Interesting.
Well that was cheerful !
Absolutely fantastic,dieser blues diese jammin lebensgefühl tudel
Du,sir duke mood ❤❤❤😂😂😂
Akon
Why the hell can't jazz be like this, again? ... You know... Good. =)
cuz duke ellington and all the guys in his band have been dead for decades
We both know- never another Duke.
It's All Good. Now go look for Black, Brown and Beige: It's serious work. For Years I had an NPR tape of the broadcast...
It's out there, just gotta look. Besides as long as there is video and audio of these oldies why do we need new stuff.
Honestly hard to have a ten-12 piece band willing to play together and be as tight as they were back then,
Only works now if they are a house band for some profitable club. Even local touring becomes expensive with so many members.
Why the hell ?
I would have hated to live in 1929. Except for the music...
That was fabulous!. What amazing talent all round, that was a pleasure.
absolutely marvelous music, classy
Marvelous! Pure poetry, thanks for sharing!
Fantastically Wonderful!!!!!!!!
What a treat.
What a great upload! Thank you!!
I've never seen tap like that! So cool!!
Wow! Great piece. Thank you for posting.
what an incredibly powerful work of art.
So very precious
Marvellous!
beautiful
Great muso's back in those days!
Amazing
Its like finding a film of Mozart and so moving.
These people knew how to party! 🥳
Well, in 1929 every time you partied you were risking jail, so you had to make it good!
Quality video.
I can't believe they actually showed them drinking alcohol! I can't think of another film from 1929 where alcohol visibly reaches someone's lips.
Especially during Prohibition.
The best people on God's Earth...speechless...
Fantastic!!!
DUKE ELLINGTON ESTÁ PARA O JAZZ ASSIM COMO BEETHOVEN PARA A MÚSICA CLÁSSICA!!!
Que ermosura! Gracias por traerlo!
😊😊good
Tap dancing was in and everybody dressed sharp back then. Harlem Renaissance. I wish that I could have experienced the times
Harlem Renaissance is one of my very favorite time periods! Duke, Does Neal Hurston, Cab Calloway, Langston Hughes, etc. Cool time..
I meant to say: Zora Neal Hurston. Auto Correct is so annoying.
@@Spiritualchick82 i did photosilkscreen posters of that era for my senior project in college. You would've loved it! I did lots of research for it. You should check out a book called, "The Black Book" by Donald Bogle. He writes books on the early Black entertainment. He also wrote a book on Dorothy Dandridge
During WWII , even the Germans in occupied France enjoyed tuning in Duke Ellington on the short wave - albeit on the down low !
Never said the Nazis didn't have good taste. They're just tasteless...
These people are very disciplined and well dressed, logically things should get better as time goes on, but why we are getting the contrary of every beautiful thing that used to be the normal way of life in the past.?
Because at that time America did not transform into USSR yet, people lived by different laws - with dignity, respect and moral standards
You mean like the guys who came to reposes the piano?
@@irinavorontsova6344 I utterly agree with you 🙏🏼☕️
It's all very banal. The US and A rose to power, got wealthy and fat, then got lazy.
That's the macro view, but it's also not very complicated at a more micro view.
You have technology, which is shredding the human soul to pieces.
There's not even a need to get political about it all. It annoys me how people act somehow surprised by whatever is going on.
@@PlayNiceFolks enough said 👍🙏🏼☕️.
Oh my lord the use of lighting in this is effective
Thank you.
7:10 slow take on "The Duke Steps Out" followed by stylized choreography for "Black Beauty," Ellington's tribute to the late Floeence Mills.
This is wonderful!! Thanks for posting it. Duke's compositions are the most played in all of jazz. Monk comes in second.
Young Ellington is handsom
Fredi was so fine!
Cheerful storyline.